Among adults, the obesity rate in Spain, according to the OECD, has increased from 6.8% in 1987 to 14.9% in 2006. And among Spanish children, the obesity rate is well over double the rate of adults, according to Spanish Health Minister Elena Salgado. Although it has risen notably, Spain is far behind the United States (and other highly obese countries), whose obesity rate stood at 34.3% in the same year. The globalization of American fast food chains such as McDonald´s, KFC, and Burger King, and greater consumption of softdrinks have probably contributed to this. In addition, the rise in the number of families with two working parents, leaving them with less time to cook and more extra cash, may also be turning to fast food for its convenience.
This is disappointing because the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which consists largely of fish, olive oil, vegetables, etc., have increasingly been recognized by health experts. With the inevitable rise in health complications arising from obesity, the Spanish government will also need to spend more and more on public health.
Due to the likely causes of the change in diet, the fight against obesity will not be easy. Already, the Spanish government has gone to great lengths to regulate the amount of fat in fast food and promote healthy eating. The preferences of today´s youth, however, do not bode a healthy future.
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